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How's your patience level?

Standing in line at the grocery store that has only two checkout aisles open. Sitting in crazy traffic that you didn't expect to deal with. Waiting in the doctor's office thirty minutes past your scheduled time because they are "running behind." We think our kids aren't patient...what about us? How do well you deal in those situations?

I'll go first. When I'm rested and not in a huge hurry and not stressed, then I'm a Perfectly Patient Paula - if 1 is calm as a cucumber and 10 is full-on freak out, I'm a 2. But, when am I ever rested, not in a hurry and not stressed? Exactly. So, yeah, on any given day I could be a 4 or, gulp, an 8. Not good for me, not good to show the kiddo either.

What's a mom to do to be a touch more patient, whether out and about in a situaion...or in the adobe when those kids are pushing your buttons? Talk to yourself. I already do that a lot, but according to Martha Beck, the amazing life coach who has a column that I tear our every month in O, The Oprah Magazine, it is a first step in becoming more patient: "Silently tell yourself simple things like 'It's okay.' 'You're all right.' 'There's no rush.' 'You can do this.' You'll be amazed at the power of this humble mental-management technique to help you turn knowledge into action."

Okay, I've tried it and it works...but what else can you do to knock your score down to a manageable 3 or 4 from that whoppin' 9?

-- Just hit the pause button. Stop what you are doing and thinking and switch to a self-inventory. Are you tense? How are those jaw muscles? Where are your thoughts? Check in with yourself.

-- Take five deep breaths. That whole power of deep breathing has mega calming powers.

-- When not in a tense situation, when you have two seconds, think about times when you've become really impatient. Were you trying to do too many things at one time? Were you late because of some other factors? See if you can switch up those things.

-- Get rest and eat well. Yup, two huge determiners of our patience level: sleep and food. A tired, hungry mama is, more than likely, an impatient one.

How patient are you? Are there times when you are less patient? How about with your kids -- are you really patient or not so much?

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